Business News

17 Mar. 2010

CCI SUPPORTS DISCOVER NATURAL FIBERS INITIATIVE

A coalition between Cotton Council International (CCI) and other international natural fiber organizations has recently launched the Discover Natural Fibers Initiative (DNFI) to increase awareness of natural fibers including cotton. The DNFI extends the partnership initiated by the International Year of Natural Fibers (IYNF) Steering Committee organizations following a year-long collaboration, dubbed the “International Year of Natural Fibers.”

“The Discover Natural Fibers Initiative will build on the success of the IYNF and
adopt the same objective, which is to raise the awareness and profile of natural fibers,
including cotton, and emphasize their value to global consumers while helping to sustain
farmer income,” said CCI President Wally Darneille. “Natural fibers, including cotton and
U.S. cotton, are key economic contributors. The global recognition this initiative will
bring to cotton and other natural fibers is well-deserved.”

The decision to continue working closely together was the result of an IYNF
committee meeting held in Frankfurt, Germany, in January 2010. DNFI is an alliance of
key international natural fiber organizations including CCI, the International Wool Textile
Organization (IWTO), the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), the Bremen
Cotton Exchange, the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), the
International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) and many others.

Cotton, a natural, renewable and biodegradable resource, is the largest natural
fiber in the global fiber, textile and apparel economy, now representing roughly 80% of all natural fibers consumed.

CCI is the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm and carries
out programs in over 50 countries globally under the Cotton USA trademark.
CCI's headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., with offices located in Memphis,
London, Hong Kong, Seoul and Shanghai.